KINGFIELD – Local Baptist worshippers have realized the culmination of years of prayer and hard work with the recent opening of the Western Mountains Baptist Church on the corner of School and Sumner streets.

For many years, the faithful traveled to Farmington on Sundays to attend services. Now there are local services Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. in the former SAD 58 superintendent’s office building.

Farmington Pastor Earl Edgerly travels to Kingfield to lead the evening service each week.

“We’ve wanted to worship in our own community for some time now,” said member Pam Brochu of Freeman. “It’s been hard for many of our congregation to travel especially in winter.”

“Everyone is certainly welcome,” said church elder Maurice Lambert of Kingfield. “We have a good youth group going and a dedicated and energetic congregation. We want to minister to all age groups,” he said. “It’s nice to have a place of our own.”

The church has a congregation of up to 50, and more than 30 young people are in IMPACT, the youth group. IMPACT was established four years ago to meet the growing Christian needs of Kingfield-area youth. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays.

The youth have designed, painted and furnished their own space in the building. “I like our new space here and that I can ride my bike here on Thursdays,” said Michael Hisman of the youth group. “I’m pretty excited about the future here.”

There may be Sunday morning services in the future if the church can find a pastor of its own. In addition, IMPACT hopes to offer Christian-based, after-school activities in the future and is planning a February trip to Haiti to offer aid.

Several people in the congregation have gone to Haiti in the past to offer much-needed medical services, supplies, construction and educational aid.

The youth group is planning numerous fund-raising activities to help with the Haiti mission. More information on the church may be obtained by calling Lambert at 265-2408.